Where it all began ...

We're going out to eat at Riddle's in U-City in a little while.  Jeff & I had our first date at this restaurant.  It's also where he proposed to me (although I almost ruined the surprise with my constant questioning of his strange behavior leading up to the event).  We try to make it back there at least once a year.  Their main emphasis is a constantly changing menu of great food prepared with seasonal, local ingredients.  They also boast live music and one of the most extensive wine/beer lists in the city.  Can't wait to see what's on the menu tonight!

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An update to last night's post -

We had a wonderful evening.  It was nice just to get away and reconnect at a place familiar and full of memories.  And the food wasn't too shabby either.

Let me emphasize that you don't go to Riddle's for the quiet, romantic ambiance.  The front of the house is loud and smoky (yes, you can still smoke in restaurants and bars in Missouri).  It took us by surprise when the host asked us "smoking or non-smoking?"  You mean I have a choice?  I'm not used to making those kinds of decisions!  Also, the live music is usually a jazz or blues outfit.  Last night, it was the latter.  There are, however, candles and fresh flowers on the tables.

Here's what we had (descriptions taken directly from the menu) ...

Torrontés, Don Rodolfo, 2006 (Cafayate Valley, Argentina) 
Cafayate Valley is the home to but a handful of wineries, only 4% - but some of the very best - of Argentina's wines. Bursting with white peach, pineapple and pink grapefruit flavors, with aromas of rose petals and ripe honeydew, this phenomenal wine is dry and crisp- a perfect pair with seafood and salads. 

Crawfish Stuffed Mushroom Caps - Large caps piled high with a rich stuffing of Crawfish Newburg, spiked with dry sherry and a good shot of cayenne pepper.

Lamb Loin Duxelles – Duxelles is a classic French preparation of finely minced fresh Mushrooms with minced Onion, cooked for a very long time to concentrate the flavors. In this preparation, buttery boneless Lamb Loin steaks are grilled over high heat and served on a bed of Duxelles, the concentrated essence of Mushrooms, finished with Roasted Red Pepper Missouri Goat Cheese.

Sweet Potatoes whipped with butter and Maple Syrup

Chicken Major Grey - A Boneless Breast of carefully raised, antibiotic-free Ashley Farms chicken is sauteed with Green Onion, flamed in Brandy and served with a sauce of Sour Cream, Mango Chutney and the excellent Curry blended for us by the St. Louis Herb Society.

A Riddle’s original for more than 20 years.

Homegrown Asparagus - from the Eilerman Bros. farm in Batchtown, IL

And in our food-induced coma, we somehow managed to find our way back to Susie and Johnny's apartment to sleep it off on their couch.